The Eid moon has been sighted…

The UAE’s moon sighting committee has confirmed that Eid Al Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, will begin on Friday.

The moon was sighted when the committee met after maghrib prayers on Thursday evening at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.

State news agency WAM confirmed the news on Twitter just before 9pm.

Earlier in the week the UAE government announced that the holiday would begin on Thursday for public sector workers, and last until the third day of Shawwal (the month that follows Ramadan on the Islamic calendar).

ALSO READ: 20 things to do in Dubai over Eid weekend

This means public sector workers won’t be back in the office until Monday.

The holiday announced for the private sector was the first and second days of Shawwal, which means those with a normal Friday-Saturday weekend will not receive any extra days off.

Last year, private sector workers had a four-day weekend from Thursday June 22 to Monday June 26.

WHEN IS THE NEXT HOLIDAY?

Arafat Day is likely to be observed on Tuesday, August 21, followed by Eid Al Adha on Wednesday, August 22. It’s likely we will get Tuesday through to Thursday off – which means a five-day weekend could be in our future.

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